A cross section of the beneficiaries
BUA cement plc has given scholarship of N200, 000 each to 200 benefiting students from their business host states of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara.
According to BUA’s Director Admin and Corporate Affairs, Muhammed Sada, the idea of the scholarship which started since 2018-2019 was aimed at complimenting the efforts of the government and also create future workforce for the company.
Earlier in his welcome address on Tuesday, BUA’s Head of Department, Health, Community, Safety and Enviroment (HCSE), Engr. Aliyu Gumel said the aim is to provide support for students from the host States to enable them pursue their academic dreams in order for them to contribute to the development of not just their respective communities but state and nation at large.
The Plant Director Engr. Aminu Bashir speaking on behalf of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) said they are highly honoured to have the beneficiaries present to graciously accept their giving back gesture.
Continuing, the Engr. Binji said the management have uplifted the scholarship from the initial 100,000 naira per student to N200,000 and also increased the number from 100 to 200 students.
According to him, the beneficiaries were drawn from the States of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara, adding they were lucky to have been selected from amongst many, hence should consider themselves as worthy ambassadors of the company in their respective schools.
Engr. Binji urged the beneficiaries to ensure that they utilize the scholarship judiciously, adding BUA had 50 students that are already benefiting from the scholarship, hence adding additional 200 year.
Clarifying on the allocation, BUA said, 50 each from the States of Kebbi, Zamfara and Sokoto while additional 50 goes to Wamakko local government area being the immediate host community.
“The selection process was rigorous and very transparently done based on the criteria set by the management and verification process”
Executive Secretary of the Zamfara State Scholarship Board, Professor Rashida Usman, expressed gratitude to BUA on behalf of the beneficiaries from Zamfara State, describing their gesture as tremendous. She encouraged other influential northerners and business leaders to follow BUA’s example.
Similarly, Kebbi State Director of Student Affairs, Yusuf Abubakar, commended BUA’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, calling on others to prioritize education.
Sokoto State Special Adviser on Corporative and Corporate Social Responsibility Agency, Hon. Usman Arzika Fako, emphasized that educational empowerment is key to sustainable development.
District Head (Ubandoma) of Arkila, Aliyu Hassan, praised BUA’s respect for humanity and business acumen since acquiring Sokoto Cement. He appealed for more local staff engagement, suggesting 50% of the workforce should be from host communities, including Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara States.
Beneficiaries Bilkisu Bello Mohammed (Kebbi State) and Umar Bello Kaura (Zamfara State) expressed gratitude, seeing BUA’s contribution as hope for future generations and an investment in national growth. They vowed to be good ambassadors, making BUA proud.
